Keetmanshoop rural by-election candidates announced

Political parties contesting in the Keetmanshoop Rural constituency by-election have announced their candidates and campaign activities are in full swing.

The seat fell vacant after the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) expelled the former councillor for that constituency Gerrit Witbooi, on 14 February.

By law, a by-election must be held within 90 days after a vacancy occurs.
The expelled councillor was the first to announce that he would stand as an independent candidate for the same constituency.

“I can assure you I will win that constituency back. I will also make sure LPM never has a majority within the //Kharas Regional Council,” said Witbooi.

LPM had four seats on the regional council and Swapo three seats. Without Witbooi, Swapo and LPM have three seats each.

Witbooi fell out of favour with LPM when he reportedly refused to follow the party’s directive on which candidate to appoint in a senior position at the //Kharas Regional Council.

“I cannot vote against my conscience to please a party. I am a community worker, therefore, feel I must obtain my mandate from the community and account directly to the community,” said the former councillor.

Swapo has fielded former Keetmanshoop Rural constituency councillor Elias !Kharuxab, who contested for the same constituency in the 2020 regional and local authority elections and lost to Witbooi.

Speaking to The Namibian, !Kharuxab expressed confidence that he will win and commits to work towards the development of the people.

“There are projects that came to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic, while I was still in office that I would like to complete. For a long time, we have wanted to tar the road between Keetmanshoop and the Klein Menasse border post via Aroab, as well as the envisaged agriculture centre.

“Another project is for the community of Koës to renovate the Koës stadium and provide a pavilion for the community. Third, will be the opening of the south gate at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital, and installing a swimming pool at the Krönlein Sports Stadium.

“I will also address the issue of citizens paying for rates and taxes at the Keetmanshoop municipality, which falls under the Keetmanshoop Urban constituency. Therefore, I will approach the demarcation committee to address the issue, if voted into power,” said !Kharuxab.

LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi announced Willem Labuschagne as the party’s candidate on Sunday.
“Willem is a practical person. He is not only about talk, but a man of plans and results. He has been long in agriculture and is a person of the people,” said Swartbooi.

Independent Patriots for Change will field Magdalena van Staden.

The by-election is set for 15 May.